Certifications for Software Engineers: A Worthwhile Investment or a Wasted Effort?

In my entire career, which is now retired, I only got one certification—UML (Unified Modeling Language)—which I never used or needed. From personal experience, unless a certification is essential for your job, it is often a waste of time. Most certifications are either not used or become obsolete by the time you need them.

certifications During the Hiring Process are Overrated

When I was hiring candidates, the fact that they had a certification meant little more than the color of their hair. While the purpose behind certifications may have been valid 40 years ago—to prove knowledge of a specific topic—today, the overwhelming number of certifications available and the low barriers to passing them invalidate their original value.

Why Certifications Lost Their Original Value

You don't need to go through a course on the tool, but you can just study some books. You don't need to study those books either, but you can just simulate the tests and study the answers. Big consultancies certify their trainees without any experience. A bunch of theoretical knowledge doesn't make a difference today, as anything can be Googled.

These factors have rendered many certifications less significant in the tech industry. While some skills and certifications can still be beneficial and demonstrate your willingness to stand out, it's important to evaluate whether they truly add value to your career.

My Personal Experiences with Certifications

I have never seen someone fired because they didn't have certifications. However, I have witnessed companies that require a certain percentage of their employees to be certified for arbitrary goals. In such cases, they often support their employees in the certification process. An interviewer once mentioned, “But what you are asking for is too high, you don’t have certification…” This comment raised doubts at the time but was later realized to be just an excuse to lower the offered compensation, similar to negotiating the price of a house or a car.

My Only Certification

My only certification, which I used to show proudly, was in the English language. Given my discomfort with the language, it functioned as a way of saying, “My English is bad but I have something that proves it is good.” This is a bit contradictory but it served its purpose.

While a certification doesn't prove that you will add value or possess the required knowledge, it does demonstrate your willingness to try to stand out.

So, to answer the question, I would rather invest the time and money in developing a skill that will be useful in your current job or future career. This approach is more aligned with the needs of the industry and can yield more tangible results.

Conclusion

For software engineers, certifications can have their place. They can serve as a way to demonstrate your commitment to your field and perhaps help in job search or career advancement. However, they should not be the sole focus. Prioritize skills that are actively used in the field and have real-world applications. Remember, in the tech industry, knowledge and skills gained through experience and hands-on practice often hold more weight than a piece of paper.